April's GlossyBox - 'Natural Beauty'

I had been eagerly awaiting this month's box as there seemed to be a massive gap (or what felt like one!) since the last one.
I had no idea what to expect this month, I haven't read (or seen, for that matter) a single thing so everything was a complete surprise (best way!)

The first thing I noticed was the outer box - it was just a plain cardboard box, no GB logo's, no colour, nothing. This made me think it was something else arriving in the post. When opening the box I soon realised why.. its all about the natural/organic products this month.

I'm kinda glad that this is a limited edition box regarding the packaging because I wasn't too keen. I was enjoying getting a nice stack of pale pink boxes in my dressing room to match everything else, then this comes along and ruins it all, how dare they?! But no, on a serious note, to match this months theme, perfect. But if it was a regular occurence then this would be far too bland. But anyway, less talk on the packaging and more on the products!

Contents of box:

Burt's Bees naturally nourishing milk and honey body lotion

Caudalie SOS thirst quencing serum

Figs & Rouge lip balm (for lips and skin)

Monu moisture rich collagen cream

Inika organic eyeliner

I don't really anaylse the contents and conjure up some in depth opinions like I used to. Whether it's because I've been subscribed for a year now and the 'new-ness' of it all has worn of, but I kinda accept what I get given and don't really give it a second thought, but for the sake of this blog, I will ;-)

There's quite a few skin care products in this edition. I hate receiving products that you'd need to continue using in order to gain the desired effect, i.e. purchase a full size bottle. I received a few in the past and sometimes feel its a little waste of time because the trial size is never big enough to achieve the desired effect (i.e. cellulite cream), so how are we supposed to know if it does what it says on the tin before splashing the cash on a full sized one? I know the whole idea of GB is to try/sample higher end things but sometimes it lures you into feeling like you *have* to buy full size. Am I making any sense? No? Thought so.

I do have loads of lip balms but its something I use regularly so in my eyes you can never have too many. Also, with such a cute compact tin, who would frown on this little beauty? Even if I'm not a fan of rose scented lip balms!



I was pretty excited with the eyeliner, the packaging looked pretty swish so I was expecting a similar swish product inside. Was kinda dissapointed that it was your average kohl pencil (pretty make-up products always look so much better in your collection right?) Nonetheless, this is a lovely creamy pencil and is great for smudging too. Mine came in the colour '07 Graphite' which is a lovely smokey grey/black with a tint of silver in, perfect for a smokey eye. It reminds me of an Eyeko eyeliner that we got sent a box or two ago...

I was pleased to see a Burt's Bees product in there. I've never actually owned anything by this brand, and although its a body lotion and we all have tonnes of that stuff, I will get use out of it at some point.

The thirst quenching serum for your skin - I've never really heard of this idea before. You apply it before your moisturiser (I thought it would be in replace of your moisturiser). My skin can often feel dry, however, I think I might save this for Vegas, because I'm guessing with the sun I might need it!

Easter NOTD

I hope everyone's having a lovely bank holiday weekend, the one time of the year that you have a slight excuse to live eat and sleep chocolate!

I have had quite a peaceful one (infact a little too peaceful!), the boyfriend has been working all bank holiday weekend (apart from today). I've been keeping myself busy with house chores and my little 18mnth old niece.

It's finally April, which only means one thing; all my pastel nail varnishes get the pleasure in seeing the light of day again, yay! And because I was so spoilt for choice, I decided to sport all 3 colours... I've decided, I need to invest in a lemon to make my spring collection complete. I don't own (and never have owned) a yellow nail polish, not really my kinda colour, but comes in handy for nail art if nothing else!

Polishes used - 'Berry Icecream', 'Blueberry Icecream' and 'Strawberry Icecream' all by BarryM.

On a side note, I use picnik for editing my photo's, but that is unfortunately closing down real soon, so I'm on the hunt for recommendations for dummies. I've tried photoshop and picasa but they don't float my boat. Any more out there, preferably free? Throw your ideas my way!

Now to indulge in my tray of Ferrero Rocher's! My treat from my boyfriend for Easter!

Weekly round-up ft. OOTD & NOTD

So I've had a lovely long weekend off work and although I haven't done a great deal, it hasn't been too quiet either. I've managed to fit in a meal out, a couple of shopping trips, the dreaded cars MOT, my boyfriend's nephews birthday tea party, organising my make-up room and house chores. Not bad for 5 days off if you ask me!

I finally made a few purchases for myself a couple of days ago, cheap ones at that mind you, but nonetheless I was still happy with what I got.

The chiffon blouse was purchased from Primark for £10. I really like the spearmint colour for spring. Although on this photo it makes me look a little bigger than what I actually am! The skinny jeans are from Dorothy Perkins and although you can't tell in this photo, they are a lighter denim blue than what I usually go for. The shoes are a couple of years old and I haven't a clue where they are from! The bag is another recent purchase from Primark for around the £6-£8 mark.

The bag is a crocodile type print which I like, and once opened this is very similar to a box bag due to it being pretty deep but not very wide. However I can easily fit all my essentials in here.

To go with the spearmint attire I decided on spearmint nails too! This photo doesn't show its true colours but this colour was an identical match with my top. As for the nail art, I used my new Models Own nail art pen.. I don't quite know what look I was trying to achieve but I weirdly kinda liked the result.

And last but not least I invested in 2 polishes to add to my already humongous collection. I'm not a massive fan of Miss Sporty polishes, they tend to need one too many coats for my liking, and tend to be a little streaky, however I've been eyeing up the one on the right for months now. You know when you get an extra yummy smelling bubblebath you just want to eat? Well I get that with colours too, and just wanna eat the blue one! I also spotted the glitter one with flecks of predominantely blue in (which go into a whole new range of other colours once the light catches it). I have tried this out and it's pretty hard to get an even coverage of the glitter on your nails which is annoying for those impatient nail artist wannabes like me! However still pretty to look at nonetheless.

My ears are burning, someone must be talking about meee!

Last but not least, me giving my boyfriend some therapy in the name of ear candling. For those that don't know what this is, no I'm not some religious weirdo, and no I'm not secretly trying to burn his ear off (or anything else for that matter!). It is an alternative medicine practise to help health and general well being. It is meant to help your sinus' and clear your ears of any blockages (i.e. that yucky stuff that is wax).

Back to work tomorrow! *Groan* although I'm on a first aid training course all day so I'm kinda looking forward to that!

Hope everyone made the most of the sun! Back to the winter woolies by the sounds of the weather, boo!